Naas preview

Imperious Triumph Hurdle winner Our Conor has his first start since his Cheltenham romp when he lines up on the Flat in the Woodlands 100 Club October Handicap at Naas.

The way Dessie Hughes' charge improved over the winter during his hurdling campaign means anyone can be forgiven for thinking a mark of 84 on the level is way too low.

He faces stiff opposition in the valuable contest, though, with Marchese Marconi dropping back in trip after his second in the Irish Cesarewitch last time, and Stony Grey and Ancient Sands both chasing a hat-trick.

Acquiring black type is the aim for trainers in the Clodovil EBF Garnet Stakes, in which Dermot Weld has a particularly strong hand.

Salhooda has shown she is no slouch this term, but Pat Smullen rides Rasmeyaa, whose third to Fiesolana last time was given a boost when the winner struck again at Newmarket last week.

Add in Eddie Lynam's smart Pearl Of Africa and British raiders Audacia and Spinacre, and a hotly contested Listed race is in store.

Aidan O'Brien's Johann Strauss went into many a notebook when staying on for fourth at Newmarket on his debut and he bids to get off the mark in the Tifrums EBF Maiden, which gets the meeting under way at 1.40.

Fiscal Focus made a deccent fist of things on his debut at Navan and looks the main danger, though Sniper drops down from Group One company to try and engineer a victory.

O'Brien also has claims with Beyond Brilliance in the Fast Company EBF Fillies Maiden, though Hazaraba looks an interesting newcomer for John Oxx.

Craftsman and Intensical bid to follow up recent successes in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery, while the Profile Systems Kommerling Handicap Hurdle is the feature of three National Hunt races on the card and could see Bose Ikard build on his Downpatrick victory.